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    Hokkaido, Japan

    Sapporo Kokusai

    470m vertical, 7 courses, 18m annual snowfall. 60 minutes from Sapporo. Opens late November through March.

    Season 2025-2026
    Opens
    21 Nov 2025
    Closes
    31 Mar 2026
    Days open
    130
    Annual snow
    18m
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Sapporo Kokusai operates across 470 metres of vertical drop between 630 and 1100 metres elevation on the eastern slope of Mount Asari. The resort encompasses 7 courses and 14 named runs across 161 acres, with terrain split 35 per cent beginner, 47 per cent intermediate and 18 per cent advanced. Annual snowfall averages 18 metres, positioning the resort amongst Hokkaido's heaviest snowfall zones. The base sits within Sapporo city limits 46 kilometres from the city centre, making it the highest elevation resort in the municipal area.

    The longest run stretches 3.6 kilometres through forested terrain along the Woody Trail and Fairy Tale Trail. The Downhill course drops from summit to base with gradients reaching 30 degrees, typically left ungroomed to develop moguls. Echo Quad services upper mountain powder zones near the 1100-metre summit, whilst the Sky Cabin gondola provides direct access to advanced terrain. Terrain distribution favours progression, with the Family Course exceeding 100 metres in width.

    The base lodge handles day-trippers from Sapporo and Otaru, with no slopeside accommodation at the resort itself. Operating hours run 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and 8:30 to 17:00 on weekends and holidays, with no night skiing offered. Jozankei Onsen sits 19 kilometres south, providing traditional ryokan lodging and hot springs. The compact footprint concentrates crowds at weekends, though off-piste tree skiing between marked runs absorbs traffic on powder days.

    The 2025-2026 season opened 21 November and runs through 31 March. Adult day tickets cost 4500 yen midweek and 5000 yen at weekends, with season passes available for 45,000 yen. Elementary school children ski free. The resort operates independently without multi-resort pass affiliation. The setup suits powder-focused intermediates, families seeking value and Sapporo residents chasing fresh snow within an hour of the city.

    470m
    Vertical
    14
    Runs
    161 acres
    Skiable
    18m
    Annual snow
    The Terrain

    14 runs across 161 acres skiable

    Sapporo Kokusai spreads 14 runs across 161 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 47%, with 5 beginner runs to find your feet and 3 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    14
    runs
    14 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner5 runs · 35%
    Intermediate7 runs · 47%
    Advanced3 runs · 18%
    Expert0 runs · 0%
    Time it right

    When to visit Sapporo Kokusai

    The 2025-2026 season opened 21 November and closes 31 March, amongst the longest operating windows in the Sapporo area. Sapporo Kokusai typically opens earliest amongst regional resorts due to its 1100-metre summit elevation. The season extends into early May in high snow years, though late-season operations remain unconfirmed for 2026. Weekday hours run 9:00 to 17:00, extending to 8:30 to 17:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.

    Annual snowfall averages 18 metres, with the eastern slope of Mount Asari capturing northwest moisture flows. The fourth week of December historically produces 64 centimetres across 6.4 snowy days. January through March delivers the most consistent powder, with light, dry snow quality maintained even when Sapporo city receives heavy, wet precipitation. Current season totals through mid-June 2026 reached 1068 centimetres, with base depths of 310 centimetres recorded.

    January and February offer peak powder reliability and the fullest terrain access. Early season from late November sees limited terrain but uncrowded conditions and discounted tickets. March brings longer daylight and stable base depths exceeding 2 metres. Spring skiing from April onwards depends on seasonal accumulation. The resort discounts online ticket purchases and shoulder season rates.

    The Sapporo Snow Festival runs early February in the city centre, 60 minutes from the resort. Jozankei hosts the Snow Light Path event from late January through late February. The resort features a terrain park with tabletops, rails and jump features on Challenge Street. No night skiing operates, differentiating the resort from Sapporo Teine's illuminated Olympics Zone. Peak weekend crowds from December through February contrast with quiet weekday sessions.

    Season 2025-2026
    21 Nov 2025
    Opens
    31 Mar 2026
    Closes
    130
    Days open
    18 m
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Sapporo Kokusai, and where to stay

    Sapporo Kokusai occupies the eastern slope of 1280-metre Mount Asari in the Jozankei area of Minami-ku, southern Sapporo. The base sits at 630 metres elevation within Hokkaido's Ishikari region, 46 kilometres southwest of Sapporo's city centre. Asarigawa Onsen lies 14 kilometres northwest, whilst Kiroro Resort sits a few kilometres distant as the crow flies but 40 kilometres by road. The resort operates within municipal Sapporo boundaries despite its mountain setting.

    Jozankei Onsen, a hot spring town with 20 ryokan properties drawing 2.4 million annual visitors, sits 19 kilometres south via a 25-minute drive. Central Sapporo lies 60 minutes north via Route 230. The city of Otaru sits 40 minutes northwest on the coast. Niseko's Hirafu village lies 82 kilometres southwest, a 90-minute drive. The surrounding area remains undeveloped forest, with no commercial infrastructure at the resort base beyond the day lodge.

    Route 230 provides the primary access corridor from Sapporo, continuing south to Jozankei before branching to Prefecture Road 1. The Sasson Expressway's Asari interchange sits 17.5 kilometres north of the resort. Roads require winter tyres and chains during storms, with ploughing maintained on access routes. Drive times extend during heavy snowfall and weekend traffic. Free parking accommodates 1850 vehicles at the base area.

    New Chitose Airport sits 100 kilometres southeast, approximately 90 minutes by road or 2 hours via public transport. JR trains connect the airport to Sapporo Station in 40 minutes, running every 15 minutes. Direct ski buses operate from Sapporo Station to the resort in 80 to 90 minutes, departing from platform 16 at the bus terminal. The Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus offer combined bus and lift ticket packages. Additional departures run from Makomanai Station and Jozankei Onsen, with 5 daily services linking the hot spring town to the ski area in 29 minutes.

    Where to stay

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    Sapporo Kokusai Lift Tickets

    Sapporo Kokusai lift tickets & passes

    The 2025-2026 season at Sapporo Kokusai closed on Mar 31, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from ¥3,500, with peak rates up to ¥5,000.

    6 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult 1-Day Pass

    ¥4,500up to ¥5,000 peak

    Full day access to Sapporo Kokusai's 7 family-friendly courses just 60 minutes from Sapporo city. Perfect for beginners and families with excellent ski school programs.

    Buy pass
    Senior 60–99

    Senior 1-Day Pass (60+)

    ¥3,800up to ¥4,300 peak

    Senior discount for ages 60+ at Sapporo Kokusai. Full access to gentle, family-friendly terrain perfect for mature skiers near Sapporo with reduced pricing.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–18

    Youth 1-Day Pass

    ¥3,500up to ¥4,000 peak

    Youth pricing for students at family-friendly Sapporo Kokusai. Perfect learning environment for young skiers with excellent instruction programs near Sapporo.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–12

    Child (Elementary & Under)

    Free

    Free skiing for elementary students and younger at Sapporo Kokusai when accompanied by adult. Complimentary access to perfect beginner terrain near Sapporo.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult Half-Day Pass

    ¥3,500up to ¥4,000 peak

    Half-day access to Sapporo Kokusai starting from 12:30pm. Convenient afternoon skiing near Sapporo with family-friendly atmosphere and beginner terrain.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 18–64

    Season Pass (Adult)

    ¥45,000

    Unlimited access to Sapporo Kokusai all season with family-friendly benefits. Perfect for local families wanting convenient skiing near Sapporo with kids programs.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Sapporo Kokusai day pass cost?+
    Sapporo Kokusai day passes range from ¥3,500 to ¥5,000 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Sapporo Kokusai lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Sapporo Kokusai lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Sapporo Kokusai, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Sapporo Kokusai lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Sapporo Kokusai - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Sapporo Kokusai lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Sapporo Kokusai offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Sapporo Kokusai directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Sapporo Kokusai.

    More Sapporo Kokusai intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.